Women's Day 2014: Thousands Gather in Philippines, on Social Media

Across the world, people have flooded into the streets for International Women’s Day, formally recognizing the economic, social and political achievements — and struggles — of all women everywhere. In France, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, and Canada (to name just a few), marches and rallies have erupted in celebration of women and calling for gender equality; in the Philippine capital, over 10,000 women came together Saturday to make a human formation of the female symbol.

The event, held in Manila, Philippines, gathered thousands of women from all backgrounds at the Quirino grandstand. Organized by the Philippine Commission on Women, the formation aimed to empower women by literally drawing them together to create the largest female scientific symbol ever made — and hopefully get it into the Guinness World Records book.

"We want to reaffirm our commitment to create an enabling environment for women to become better in what they do. In that way, they can help in uplifting the lives of their family and their communities," said the organizer, Gilda Patricia Maquilan.

“No country in the world, including my own, has achieved full participation,” Clinton said, during her speech at the United Nations commemoration of International Women’s Day.

Of course, social media has also seen a wave of #IWD messages, with people tweeting what International Women's Day means to them. The tweets are telling in their variety, but inspiring in their number: